GambellaР’В has a rolling drum beat ( Tom Skinner) behind glittering vibes and percussion. Kandia KoraРІР‚в„ўsР’В twinkling kora notes add to the polyrhythms of Gamo,Р’В backed by some fine hard bop horn lines. The vocal harmonies are in spicey fourths, rather than sweet thirds. TesfayeР’В sings gravelly lead vocals on three pieces inspired by Ethiopian peoples and places. ItРІР‚в„ўs an example of the atmospheric qualities of AstatkeРІР‚в„ўs music, that led Jim Jarmusch to use it in his film Broken Flowers. The second has a forest of improvised sounds: the chatter of percussion, notes dripping from vibes and piano, long rich cello lines from Danny Keane. ThereРІР‚в„ўs a tumbling bluesy piano solo from Alex Hawkins, a bubbling bass clarinet solo from Arben, and blistering trumpet solo from Wallen. The first opens with Byron WallenРІР‚в„ўsР’В plaintive muted trumpet, recalling Miles DavisРІР‚в„ў Sketches of Spain, thickening into Gil Evans-like horn arrangements. Indri HassunРІР‚в„ўsР’В masinko (single-stringed bowed lute) sounds like John Lee HookerРІР‚в„ўs blues.Р”Р„ssosa DeracheР’В and Motherland AbayР’В feel more meditative. James ArbenРІР‚в„ўs flute solo merges exquisitely with the effervescence of Yohanes AfworkРІР‚в„ўsР’В Ethiopian flute, the washint. The traditional Hager FikerР’В has a funky bass groove ( John Edwards), AstatkeРІР‚в„ўs vibes solo is beautifully imaginative, relishing the freedom of all 12 notes. The piece has tense, stabbing riffs, with piano and cello woven among the traditional instruments The strong percussion ( Richard Olatunde Baker) almost recalls the bateria of the Brazilian carnival- Astatke was drawn to Latin music early in his career, and is credited as introducing the congas to Ethiopia. Half the tracks are instrumental, though AzmariР’В alludes to Ethiopian improvising singers. But the emphasis is on the textures of the whole group. Astatke: РІР‚ВItРІР‚в„ўs 5 tones against 12-tone musicРІР‚В¦How do you combine these two things and keep the color of those modes?РІР‚в„ў Pentatonic phrases recur hypnotically throughout the album, and when the jazz solos emerge theyРІР‚в„ўre all the more striking in contrast. Horn lines are based on Ethiopian 5-note scales. Each track РІР‚ВsketchesРІР‚в„ў a different part of Ethiopia and its traditions, mostly written and arranged by Astatke: composed horn riffs, overlapping in harmony calls and responses strong grooves, and mostly simple chords. IРІР‚в„ўve always thought of music in these terms.РІР‚в„ўР”Р„statkeРІР‚в„ўs UK links go back to student days, and this new album brings together British and Ethiopian instrumentalists and singers. РІР‚ВSome of the music is meant to be danced to, some to be listened to. CD Review by Alison Bentley)Р”В®thiopian vibraphonist and percussionist Mulatu AstatkeР’В has spent most of his 70 years mixing Ethiopian musical traditions with jazz.

Mulatu astatke sketches of ethiopia